Lawmakers protect in-state tuition for veterans

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers have approved legislation to offer in-state college tuition for veterans who were stationed in California immediately before being discharged.

Sen. Joel Anderson of Alpine thanked legislative leaders for the bipartisan compromise, which ensures that California complies with a new federal requirement allowing veterans to qualify for in-state tuition.

Without the change, more than 78,000 veterans in California would risk losing their GI Bill benefits.

AB13 by Assembly Minority Leader Connie Conway of Tulare requires community colleges and the California State University to update their policies and requests the same of the University of California.

It provides in-state tuition for veterans who were stationed in California on active duty for more than one year before being discharged.